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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- Croton High School student athlete Kyle Ricciardi, who helped lead the Tigers football team to consecutive Section 1 Class B championships in his junior and senior seasons, will attend the U.S. Military Academy in West Point beginning in July as a plebe.
"I am very excited about going," Ricciardi said. "I have made many trips to watch football and lacrosse games. Ever since I was little I've been on post and seen the campus. It is truly beautiful. This is one of the reasons I made the decision to attend the academy, I love the feeling, the history of the school and campus."
Ricciardi, who was a star defensive player for the Tigers during a 21-2 run over the last two seasons, had 37 solo tackles and 63 assisted tackles during his senior season and was named Defensive Player of the Game for both the Section 1 Class B regional semifinal victory over Marlboro and the regional championship victory over Schalmont this season. He was also named to the Golden Dozen, an elite group of Westchester student/athletes.
"I have also wanted to serve in the Army since I was young and what better way to do that than West Point," he said. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to serve in the Army, receive a top tier education and play Division I football. It just made sense and made the decision easy for me. It was a long process. I had to start my application back when I was a junior, I obviously had to perform in school and on the football field for it to be possible. But I would not have been able to do it if it wasn't for my coaches, my teachers and my family. I cannot wait to get up there and get going."
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